Thursday, July 22, 2010

21 July 2010, STRATFORD, Connecticut -- Sikorsky Innovations, the technology development organization of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., has unveiled an X2 TechnologyTM Light Tactical Helicopter (LTH) simulator that will provide potential customers with a tangible experience of the significant benefits of X2 Technology. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

X2 Technology combines an integrated suite of technologies to advance the state-of-the-art, counter-rotating coaxial rotor helicopter. It is designed to demonstrate that a helicopter can cruise comfortably at 250 knots while retaining such desirable attributes as excellent low-speed handling, efficient hovering, and a seamless and simple transition to high speed. Sikorsky introduced the X2 Technology demonstrator in 2005, and the program has been steadily progressing through flight testing with the goal of achieving the 250-knot speed later this year.

“The X2 LTH simulator will demonstrate the military application of the capabilities that we are proving out with our X2 Technology demonstrator,” said Teresa Carleton, Vice President, Mission Systems Integration. “With the simulator, we can fly a light tactical helicopter variation of the X2 Technology demonstrator through various mission scenarios, and demonstrate the advantages of speed, high agility, low acoustic signature, and low vibrations. It will be a tremendous, mobile tool that we can bring to potential customers to give them a ‘hands on’ sense of the flight and mission advantages we are bringing to the aviation landscape.”

As the simulator program progresses, it will be enhanced to allow integration and demonstration of technologies that support advanced mission tactics, manned–unmanned teaming, and the optionally piloted helicopter program that Sikorsky Innovations is developing.

Sikorsky Innovations is an agile, networked group of Sikorsky employees and industry teammates dedicated to demonstrating innovative technology solutions to the toughest problems in vertical flight. Sikorsky Innovations is pursuing a broad range of advanced technologies, including X2 Technology high-speed helicopter, aware and adaptive aircraft systems, and optionally piloted aircraft.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in aircraft design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

"This is an incredible milestone," said Leanne Caret, Boeing vice president, H-47 Programs. "More than 2,000 Boeing employees work on the Chinook program, and they all share in this exceptional accomplishment with the rest of the company and our partners, suppliers and customers. We are dedicated to delivering aircraft with advanced capability and the utmost quality to meet warfighters' urgent needs."

Following delivery to the U.S. Army in August, the 100th Chinook will be fielded by the next unit equipped with the new aircraft.

Since completing the first production model CH-47F Chinook in August 2006, Boeing has trained and equipped six U.S. Army units and is in the process of equipping the seventh. Four units have completed deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the helicopter logged nearly 50,000 flight hours and maintained an operational readiness rate of over 80 percent conducting air assault, transport and support operations.

"The CH-47F is proving its exceptional capabilities every day in combat operations," said Army Col. Bob Marion, Project Manager for Cargo Helicopters. "The technological advantages and improvements in the CH-47F are powerful combat multipliers that save soldiers' lives and support overall contingency operations in theater. I am extremely proud of our Cargo Team."

To further meet the needs of Chinook customers around the world, Boeing is implementing a $130 million renovation that will enable the Ridley Township factory to gradually increase production levels from the current four aircraft per month to a new rate of six aircraft per month in 2012.

The CH-47F features a newly designed, modernized airframe, Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit and Digital Automatic Flight Control System (DAFCS). The CAAS greatly improves aircrew situational awareness, and DAFCS provides dramatically improved flight-control capabilities through the entire flight envelope, significantly improved performance, and safety in the harshest of environments.

CAAS also incorporates an advanced digital map display and a data transfer system that allows storing of preflight and mission data. Improved survivability features include the Common Missile Warning and Improved Countermeasure Dispenser systems.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

Northrop Grumman employees Joe Dabu (left) and Debbie Bareford perform final checks of several U.S. Navy BQM-34S targets recently upgraded by the company with new avionics. The upgrade converted targets that were nearly obsolete into state-of-the-art training systems. (Photo: Northrop Grumman Corporation)

21 July 2010, SAN DIEGO -- Some of the oldest aerial targets in the U.S. Navy's inventory can now be used for some of the service's most advanced training missions thanks to the recent on-schedule completion of an avionics upgrade of those targets by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC).

In late June, the company completed deliveries to the Navy of 25 BQM-34S Firebee aerial targets, each one retrofitted with modern avionics hardware from the service's primary target system, the Northrop Grumman-produced BQM-74E. As part of this Avionics Upgrade program, Northrop Grumman also provided updated operational flight program software, training of Navy personnel and flight test support.

"This upgrade program converted 25 targets that were nearly obsolete into state-of-the-art systems that will meet the Navy's most critical training system requirements for many years to come," said Hans Dall, program manager of the BQM-34 Targets Program for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "The BQM-34Ss can be operated with the Standard Navy Target Control command and control system, and will allow the Navy to carry larger payloads than the BQM-74E in a system that delivers the proven performance of the BQM-74E."

Aerial targets are unmanned, aircraft-like systems used by the military to simulate tactical threats posed by enemy aircraft and missiles. They are typically used to test and evaluate surface ship defensive weapons systems or to train pilots in air-to-air combat techniques.

According to Dall, the new avionics and software added to the BQM-34Ss give the targets fully autonomous waypoint navigation and an improved ability to perform intricate maneuvers at extremely low altitudes.

"The BQM-34S Avionics Upgrade program is a great example of Northrop Grumman's expertise in migrating the capabilities of one unmanned system to another unmanned platform using proven hardware technology and only minor software changes," said Steve Mastin, director of target programs for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector.

As another example, Mastin cited the company's current work with Bell Helicopter developing and flight testing a new medium range vertical unmanned aerial system (VUAS) called Fire-X. Fire-X will integrate the proven unmanned systems architecture of the Navy's MQ-8B Fire Scout VUAS with the mature, FAA-certified Bell 407 airframe. Northrop Grumman is the Navy's prime contractor for Fire Scout.

The BQM-34 Firebee is a versatile, highly reliable aerial target with a top speed of Mach 0.97, and an operational altitude envelope ranging from 10 feet above the sea surface to 60,000 feet. It can perform seven-g turns while maintaining high airspeeds for realistic threat presentations. It features a modular, robust design; large internal and external payload capacity; and abundant electrical power, allowing it to support a variety of specialized target and tactical unmanned aerial vehicle missions. It has been in service with the U.S. military for more than five decades.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please go to www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

20 July 2010, Farnborough -- The Sukhoi Company has completed the preliminary on-land and in-flight activities which involved all 3 engineering prototypes of the Frontline Aviation Advanced Airborne Complex (PAK FA) – the 5th-generation aircraft.

These prototypes were used for testbed strength tests, on-land optimization of fuel systems and other work towards flight trials. The flying prototype has made 16 flights. Today, the optimization of aircraft and its safety systems enables execution of a complete program of flight trials, announced the Director General of Sukhoi Mikhail Pogosyan today at the press conference at the Farnborough International Airshow-2010 Press Center.

The PAK FA took to the air on January 29 in Komsomolsk-na-Amure. The acceptance trials of the flying prototype were fully completed in late March. In April the first flying prototype of the fighter and the avionics testbed used for systems optimization before flight trials were delivered to the flying test center of the OKB Sukhoi Experimental Design Bureau in Zhukovsky near Moscow. Upon completion of the required on-bed preliminary tests of the systems, including the static example’s strength testing, on-land optimization of the avionics testbed and of the flying prototype, on April 29 the aircraft started preliminary tests.

Compared to the previous generation fighters, the PAK FA features a number of unique capabilities, including the functions of a strike aircraft and fighter. The fifth-generation aircraft is fitted with essentially new avionics integrating the function of “an electronic pilot” and with an advanced phased antenna array radar. This considerably reduces the pilot fatigue, enabling the pilot to concentrate on performance of a tactical mission. The new aircraft’s onboard equipment makes it possible to exchange information in the real time mode both with on-land control stations and with aviation group aircraft. The use of composite materials and innovative technologies, and the aerodynamic streamlining ensure unprecedented radar, optic and infrared stealthiness. This significantly enhances the operational capability against aerial and ground targets in all weathers, day and night.

Vladimir Popovkin, the Russian Defense Minister First Deputy, in his interview to the Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper estimated the Russian Air Force’s demand for the 5th-generation fighters at 50 to 100 units. It is planned to complete all tests of the PAK FA airframe in 2011-2012, and to sign a contract in 2013 for a pilot lot of ten aircraft for testing the model’s entire weapons suite.

20 July 2010, Farnborough -- The development and production of the 4++ generation Su-35 fighter is among priority programs of the Sukhoi Company. Under this program, a number of technologies are being optimized for operational use of a fifth-generation airborne combat complex.

Now the company is completing preliminary tests of the Su-35. The aircraft fully proves the claimed characteristics of the avionics and demonstrates super-maneuverable capabilities. The maximum ground-level speed attained is 1,400 km/h, speed at altitude – 2,500 km/h, and ceiling – 19,000 m. The target detection range in the air-to-air mode is over 400 km. This markedly exceeds the similar characteristics of in-service aircraft. The size of a target detected in the air-to-surface mode is up to 10 m. The onboard optic detection and ranging station detects and simultaneously tracks several targets at a range of more than 80 km. The complex is ready for pre-operational trials, announced the Director General of Sukhoi Mikhail Pogosyan today at the press conference at the Farnborough International Airshow-2010 Press Center.

Due to completion of preliminary tests and preparation for joint acceptance trials, the Russian Air Force pilots start participating in flights. The first pilot to fly the Su-35S was Alexander Kruzhavin, commander of a military unit. He valued highly the flight performance of the aircraft.

(Photo: Sukhoi)

The Su-35S aircraft (a version for the Russian AF), along with the frontline aviation’s advanced airborne complex (FAAAC), will determine Russia’s defense capability. Under a state contract signed in 2009 to supply the Russian Defense Ministry till 2015 with forty-eight Su-35S aircraft, the Company’s facilities in Komsomolsk-na-Amure have launched serial production of fighters. The first one will be made available by the end of the year. Bulk deliveries will start in 2011. The technologies employed in the Su-35S program will enable the Russian AF to partially reequip the country’s air forces and to swiftly switch over to the next-generation machines.

Sukhoi is also holding talks with foreign customers anxious to re-arm their air forces. They are scheduled for the countries of South East Asia, Middle East and South America. The signing of new contracts will maintain Russia’s competitiveness on the global fighter market. The bulk exports are due to start in 2012.

Serial production of the Su-35 fighter and its delivery to customers will maintain Sukhoi’s competitiveness on the global combat aircraft market till a fifth-generation fighter emerges there in 2016-2025.

(Photo: Sukhoi)

The Su-35 is a thoroughly upgraded super-maneuverable fighter of the 4++ generation. It employs technologies of the fifth generation that assure its superiority over similar class fighters. The special features of the aircraft include a new avionics suite based on digital information control system integrating onboard systems, a new radar with a phased antenna array having a long aerial target detection range with an increased number of simultaneously tracked and engaged targets (30 aerial targets tracked and 8 engaged plus the tracking of 4 and engagement of 2 ground targets), and new enhanced vectored thrust engines. The Su-35 has a diverse suite of long-, medium- and short-range weapons. It can carry guided aerial munitions for anti-radar and anti-ship actions as well as general purpose munitions, and guided and unguided aerial bombs. The radar signature of the fighter has been reduced by several times as compared to that of the fourth-generation aircraft by coating the cockpit with electro-conducting compounds, applying radio absorption coats and reducing the number of protruding sensors. The service life of the aircraft is 6,000 hours flight hours; the life cycle is 30 years of operation. The assigned service life of vectored thrust engines is 4,000 hours.

20 July 2010, GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The first P-3 Orion to receive the Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) modifications was flown for the first time on July 19 from the Lockheed Martin facility here. This aircraft, without its familiar radar rotodome, was redelivered to U.S. Customs and Border Protection in ceremonies on July 13. The P-3 MLU program replaces the outer wings, center wing lower surface, horizontal stabilizer and horizontal stabilizer leading edges. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

20 July 2010 -- Airbus Military is formally adopting the name Grizzly for its five-strong development fleet of A400M airlifters.

The new name is not the product of an expensive marketing study, nor something devised by a team of branding experts, nor the result of months of debate among the sales team. Instead it is the affectionate nickname given to the aircraft by the close-knit group of flight test pilots and engineers who first saw it safely into the air.

When the first aircraft was handed over to the flight-test team in Seville, Spain in November 2009, it was formally known as MSN1 in the time-honoured aviation tradition of referring to the manufacturer´s serial number. But, working at the remotely located flight-test centre at the western end of the lengthy Airbus Military flightline at Seville, the team quickly began hunting for a handier nickname.Airbus Military A400M development aircraft named Grizzly

The Flight Test Team seized on the resemblance between the mighty airlifter´s hunched appearance and the muscular shoulders of the grizzly bear, and soon afterwards the aircraft was already being referred to inside flight-test as “the Grizzly”. By the time of the first flight on 11th December, the name had stuck sufficiently firmly that it was adopted as the aircraft´s radio callsign – Grizzly One.

Furthermore, a little-known fact is that the first flight also carried a party of non-human passengers – teddy bears to raise funds for the EADS-sponsored charity Aviation Without Borders – a nice reminder of the Grizzly’s future role in civic and humanitarian missions. The name rapidly spread throughout Airbus Military and beyond, and at the ILA Berlin airshow in June 2010 an informal Grizzly One logo appeared on MSN1 when it made its first public airshow appearance. Yesterday the company announced that it was adopting the name Grizzly for the five development aircraft to be used during the flight-test programme. In a ceremony at Farnborough, MSN1´s sister-ship MSN2 was formally named Grizzly by two-times World Aerobatic Champion Catherine Maunoury of France. Airbus Military Managing Director Domingo Ureña said: “Our Grizzly and the grizzly bear share a rare combination of speed, strength, and agility, so it is no surprise that they also bear a resemblance to each other. We are proud to associate the A400M with one of nature´s great creatures.”

About Catherine Maunoury

Catherine Maunoury is one of France´s most celebrated pilots and among the most successful aerobatic pilots in the world. After obtaining her pilot´s licence aged 17, she became French national aerobatic champion in 1980 and went on to win the title ten times. In 1988 and 2000 she was also world aerobatic champion. In recent years she has focused on coaching aerobatic pilots, display flying, sharing her experiences through lectures, and motivational speaking. Catherine Maunoury has won numerous French honours including the Prix Icare, Médaille de l’Aéronautique, Officier de l’Ordre du Mérite, and Officier de la Légion d’Honneur. She was recently selected to be the next Director of the Museé de l’Air et de l’Espace in Paris. She has two sons and is the widow of architect, aviation artist and pilot Dominique Maunoury.

About the grizzly bearDespite its scientific name Ursus arctos horribilis, the grizzly bear is primarily vegetarian and females spend more than two years raising their young. Nevertheless they may weigh upwards of 700lb (320 kg) and can run at speeds of more than 30 mph (50 km/hr). Grizzlies are a sub-species of the brown bear Ursus arctos and normally lead a solitary and territorial existence. Their common name comes from their silver-tipped fur which gives rise to what was originally called a ‘grizzly’ appearance. Their famous hunched look is due to a muscular hump that gives them additional strength for running and digging. Grizzlies are today found overwhelmingly in Canada and Alaska, with much smaller numbers in north-western USA where it is a protected species. The European brown bear is very closely related.

About A400M Grizzly

The A400M Grizzly is an all-new military airlifter designed to meet the needs of the world’s Armed Forces in the 21st Century. Thanks to its most advanced technologies, it is able to fly higher, faster and further, while retaining high manoeuvrability, low speed, and short, soft and rough airfield capabilities. It combines both tactical and strategic/logistic missions. With its cargo hold specifically designed to carry the outsize equipment needed today for both military and humanitarian disaster relief missions, it can bring this material quickly and directly to where it is most needed. Conceived to be highly reliable, dependable, and with a great survivability, the multipurpose A400M Grizzly can do more with less, implying smaller fleets and less investment from the operator. The A400M Grizzly is the most cost efficient and versatile airlifter ever conceived and absolutely unique in its capabilities.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The first three C-130J Super Hercules for India take the final positions on Lockheed Martin’s assembly line in Marietta, Ga. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

20 July 2010, FARNBOROUGH, England -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently completed assembly of its 200th C-130J Super Hercules. The aircraft is the second HC-130J for the U.S. Air Force’s Air Combat Command and is a clear demonstration of the success and continued growth of the C-130J program, which produces the world’s most advanced airlifter. During media briefings at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow, Lockheed Martin representatives discussed this and the many other reasons why the C-130J is the airlifter of choice around the world.

“The C-130J Super Hercules has become an integral part of the very fabric of global airlift operations,” said Ross Reynolds, Lockheed Martin vice president for C-130 programs. “The C-130J proves itself on a daily basis while engaged in combat, peacekeeping, humanitarian and disaster relief operations. There is no greater proof of an aircraft’s value than when it does the job it is designed to do exceptionally well. The C-130’s excellent range and payload under high/hot conditions made the aircraft an early favorite among ground forces. The C-130J is not a distant promise or an idea – it is a battle-proven, reliable, affordable airlifter that can meet the growing need for air mobility today.”

Reynolds also referenced the 200th C-130J during the briefing, noting this new HC-130J variant indicates there is still a need for the highly efficient, flexible mission-focused aircraft. “The C-130J is still seeing new horizons in terms of design and we have more on the drawing board,” he said.

The ongoing success of the C-130J program continues to be demonstrated in other ways. This September marks the 50th anniversary celebration of Canada receiving its first C-130. When the time came to replace the existing Canadian C-130 fleet, the C-130J’s proven capabilities far exceeded the new airlift concepts offered. Canada received its first CC-130J in June 2010 and will have a total fleet of 17 CC-130Js.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

20 July 2010, FARNBOROUGH, England -- The versions of the F-16 being delivered to customers now are the most advanced 4th Generation multi-role fighter aircraft currently available on the international market and are building on the F-16’s reputation for effectiveness and value, the Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] director of business development for the program said today.

“The F-16 continues as a modern, highly capable, affordable and supportable fighter. The program is healthy and active, with firm production through 2013 and a strong likelihood of new orders that will extend the line for several more years,” said Bill McHenry, director of business development for F-16 programs, in remarks to reporters at the Farnborough International Airshow. McHenry also added that there is a firm backlog of 86 F-16 aircraft, including a recent order from Egypt for 20 new, Advanced Block 50/52 aircraft, the sixth follow-on buy for this country.

More than 4,450 F-16s have been delivered worldwide since the program’s inception more than 30 years ago – including 53 follow-on buys by 14 countries.

In addition to the F-16 production programs, Lockheed Martin continues to develop the F-16 for the future by integrating advanced technologies through upgrade programs for existing F-16s to ensure interoperability with the world’s only 5th Generation fighters, the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.

“This integration of advanced technologies for fielded and new aircraft provides an opportunity for F-16 operators to benefit from the latest developments in technology and capabilities for fighter aircraft,” McHenry said. “This synergy will parallel technology and provide a natural bridge from the 4th Generation of fighters to the 5th Generation.”

Aircraft now being produced for Turkey, Pakistan, Morocco and Egypt are the Advanced Block 50/52 F-16C/D configuration. The United Arab Emirates was the launch customer for the Block 60 F-16 E/F version, and is the platform basis for the proposed variant called the F-16IN Super Viper for the Indian Air Force’s Medium Multi-role Combat Aircraft competition.

McHenry said the F-16 offers the latest technologies and capabilities available today – including AESA radar, day-night, all-weather, standoff, autonomous, air intercept and precision strike. These aircraft have the latest in avionics, sensors and weapons, plus user-friendly cockpits and systems integration that provide pilots with high situational awareness.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

20 July 2010, ST. LOUIS -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] successfully launched a missile from the F-15 Silent Eagle's newly designed Conformal Weapons Bay (CWB) on July 14. Demonstration aircraft F-15E1 departed from Point Mugu Naval Air Weapon Station, Calif., at 5:59 p.m Pacific time, launched an inert AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM) from its left-side CWB, and returned to base at 6:52 p.m.

The test demonstrated the CWB's flightworthiness and ability to deploy an AMRAAM in flight with no adverse effect on the performance of the aircraft or the CWB itself.

"I've been flying F-15s for more than 20 years, but this flight was different from all others," said Boeing F-15 Chief Test Pilot Dan Draeger. "This first launch of an AMRAAM from the F-15's internal weapons bay opens a new era for the F-15 and for strike fighter capability in the dominance of the F-15 Eagle.

"The F-15, CWB and missile performed exactly as we predicted," Draeger continued. "The Silent Eagle continues the F-15's role as the most versatile strike fighter aircraft ever built."

F-15E1 made its first flight with a CWB from Lambert St. Louis International Airport on July 8. The CWB, which carried an AIM-120 Instrumented Test Vehicle (ITV), was successfully opened and closed during that 80-minute flight, validating Boeing's design approach.

"The F-15SE's internal carriage CWBs will significantly increase tactical options for international customers while retaining all the cost-certain, battle-proven capability of the Strike Eagle," said Roger Besancenez, F-15 Program vice president for Boeing.

The Silent Eagle is an innovative design solution developed in response to international customer requirements for a cost-effective, high-performance fighter aircraft to defend against future threats. Using a modular design approach, the F-15SE offers unique aerodynamic, avionic and Radar Cross Section (RCS)-reduction features that provide the user with maximum flexibility to dominate the ever-changing advanced threat environment. RCS reductions include treatments to the aircraft (based on U.S. government policy). The F-15SE CWBs can carry a variety of air-to-air missiles, such as the AIM-9 and AIM-120, and air-to-ground weapons such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition and Small Diameter Bomb. The Silent Eagle's CWBs can be easily removed, and the aircraft can be rapidly reconfigured into the combat-proven external carriage/conformal fuel tank loadout based on mission requirements.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

AF-18, the first Block 40 Global Hawk, shown during its first flight in late 2009, has completed envelope expansion flights. The next step is to finalize Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) sensor integration with the airframe and conduct the first flight of the full Block 40 system later this year. (Photo: U.S. Air Force)

19 July 2010, EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) first Block 40 RQ-4 Global Hawk high altitude long endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) has completed envelope expansion flights, just six months after conducting its first flight. The Block 40 aircraft will be equipped with the high performance Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) sensor and is the first of 22 Block 40 Global Hawks assigned to Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota.

The company also delivered on time the first development test MP-RTIP sensor to Edwards AFB for integration on the aircraft. The MP-RTIP sensor has completed radar system level performance verification on a surrogate aircraft, and will be integrated into AF-18, a Block 40 Global Hawk aircraft, for operational evaluation.

"The MP-RTIP-equipped Global Hawk illustrates Northrop Grumman's unique ability to create a system that will provide game-changing situational awareness for our warfighters with its unprecedented capability to detect, track and identify stationary and moving targets," said Duke Dufresne, vice president of the Strike and Surveillance Systems division of Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "Our next step is to finalize sensor integration with the airframe and conduct the first flight of the full Block 40 system later this year."

"The MP-RTIP sensor has proven to perform above and beyond expectations," said George Vardoulakis, Northrop Grumman vice president of MP-RTIP. "The superior technology of the MP-RTIP will prove to be an invaluable resource to the warfighter."

Global Hawk's range, endurance and large payload capabilities are well suited to provide persistent surveillance with MP-RTIP. Flying at altitudes up to 60,000 feet for more than 32 hours per sortie at speeds approaching 340 knots, the MP-RTIP-equipped Block 40 Global Hawk can persistently see through most types of weather, day or night. As the world's first fully autonomous HALE UAS, Global Hawk is the platform of choice for a wide variety of sensors, foreign and domestic, meeting the global need for persistent ISR.

Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the Global Hawk and MP-RTIP programs and continues to move these technologies forward under the stewardship of the Air Force's Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and the Electronic Systems Center, located at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. Northrop Grumman's Norwalk, Conn., facility is the principal MP-RTIP radar developer along with principal subcontractor, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, El Segundo, Calif.

Northrop Grumman is also the prime contractor for the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (NATO AGS) system, in development at the Melbourne, Florida facility of the Aerospace Systems Battle Management & Engagement Systems division, in which the Block 40 RQ-4 is a key component.

Northrop Grumman's Global Hawk program is based at its Aerospace Systems' Unmanned Systems Development Center in San Diego. The company performs Global Hawk sub-assembly work at its Unmanned Systems Center in Moss Point, Miss., and final assembly at its Antelope Valley Manufacturing Center in Palmdale, Calif.

19 July 2010, FARNBOROUGH, England -- The 5th generation F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter will serve as the centerpiece for 21st century global security while strengthening international political and industrial partnerships, a senior Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 executive said Monday at the Farnborough Air Show.

“As we continue to define what a next generation multirole fighter is and bring to the world a profound increase in capability over the best existing fighters, I’m most proud that we’re able to do it affordably—at about the price of fourth generation aircraft,” said Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and general manager of F-35 Program Integration. “The program continues to make good progress both in flight test and production, with all test aircraft now out of the factory and the first international jets beginning to take shape.”

Throughout its life cycle, the F-35 will create enduring industrial relationships, from manufacturing and production to worldwide operation and support via Autonomic Logistics Global Sustainment (ALGS), Burbage said. F-35 ALGS, developed in parallel with the aircraft and its systems, defines the F-35’s total life-cycle sustainment system.

Thousands of people are employed in the F-35 partner countries, which have invested more than U.S. $4 billion in the project. Those countries – the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, Turkey, Canada, Norway and Denmark– also stand to become more strategically aligned as each employs the same front-line fighter that brings unprecedented levels of interoperability.

Burbage also expressed increased confidence in the program, and acknowledged that most early challenges have been overcome. With more than 280 test flights completed, all systems operating in F-35 aircraft and laboratories, 19 aircraft delivered and 31 in assembly, the program is demonstrating steady progress. In the last few months, the first F-35C carrier variant flew for the first time, the first F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant completed short takeoffs and vertical landings and also flew supersonically, and both the F-35A and F-35B completed structural static testing in less than half the time of legacy programs.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, advanced sustainment, and lower operational and support costs. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable engines are also currently under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.